NAILS: Let me start by saying THANK YOU for doing this! It's so great to see leaders in our industry step forward and give back. It's nice to finally hear some good news for a change too! What should other leaders in our industry be doing to give back right now (monetarily or not)?

Jan Arnold: We are lucky to be in a community where we love and care about each other. Let’s all fuel that creative spirit. Let’s share ideas that inspire and keep the attitude high. Clients will be lined up out the door when all this is over. It won't last forever. But for now, let’s stay healthy mentally and physically.

NAILS: How about other individuals? What can each of us do?

JA: I'm so grateful for our partnership with Beauty Changes Lives, it's such a blessing. BCL is the only 501c3 that's all about our industry. So I would say something we could all do is become fans and become engaged with BCL. When we all recover, we can maybe commit to donating $1 or $5 a week to BCL. We have to protect the future of the profession.

NAILS: What are your words of comfort to nail professionals at this time?

JA: There is SO much love in our community. Stay strong. Stay healthy. Stay connected. Use this downtime to get creative. Embrace a new technique or idea. Be able to look back at this and say, I learned some things that made me a better nail professional. Also, stay in touch with your great clients. I am currently doing yoga via Zoom with my nail tech Mimi! It gives us an opportunity to connect. Try and pre-book all your appointments through the end of the year if you and your clients can't wait to reconnect!

NAILS: What should nail professionals be doing different when getting back to work?​

JA: Charge what you’re worth. A lot of nail pros ask me "How do I know what I’m worth?" and here's my response: Can they live without you? Do their nails last? Are they buying all their hand and nail essentials from you or CVS? Retail is income not tied to labor. Every time a new innovation comes out, re-do your service menu.

We need to up our game and really model excellent protocol, professional practice, and sanitation. We need to demonstrate what we’re doing to keep clients healthy and safe. When clients see nail techs taking care of themselves, they feel taken care of. Make sanitation a part of the ritual. Review those protocols and demo it in a new way. As professionals that’s what we’re prepared to do. Go out of your way to call attention to these protocals. A nail tech once said to me, "Treat your nail table like a dining room table when you bring a guest into your home." Let's ask ourselves, "How can we be better hosts?"